The two candidates vying for the District 75 state House of Representatives seat view job creation in Clayton County, funding for education and transportation as key issues they will support if elected.

The candidates are, Mike Glanton and incumbent Yasmin Neal.

The candidates offered different reasons why they should occupy that seat under the gold dome.

Neal said she has lived in Clayton County her entire life, knows the citizens and their needs well.

“I have a desire to protect the rights and well being of the citizens in my district and in this state,” she said, adding she has given her personal and professional life to the county by way of working with the Clayton County Police Department, sheriff’s office and the Forest Park branch of the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Glanton believes he is the most qualified candidate for this seat due to having successful served in the house from 2007 through 2011.

“I have, through a demonstrated record of service, the necessary experience, skills, knowledge and ability to serve District 75 citizens,” he said, adding that, while in the House of Representatives, he served on several high profile committees, including Ways and Means, Transportation, Defense and Veterans Affairs and Children and Youth.

“My record of service includes never having missed a day of the legislative session, was never late, and never missed a recorded vote for four consecutive years,” Glanton added.

Neal, who served this pass general assembly session on such committees as Children and Youth, Judiciary-Non-Civil, Public Safety and Homeland Security said, in addition to education funding and transportation, she would concentrate on economic development initiatives for her district.

“The first goal I would have for the next session is to ensure that the school system is fully funded and would propose my initiatives that would increase funding for Clayton County Public Schools,” she said.

Glanton emphasized creating jobs as another of his prime initiatives and, if elected, plans to work hard to help “create an atmosphere, not only in his district but throughout Clayton County, where businesses would choose to relocate or remain.”

“Clayton County has one of the highest, if not the highest, unemployment rates in the state,” Glanton said. “We have got to focus on workforce development and incentives for businesses that make our community attractive and competitive in the business community.”

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